Phil Ochs Lyrics
Chaplain of the war

E A F#m God bless the men who've learned to put
their lives upon the line, D B7 G#m and God bless
the men who've learned to sip the sacrifical wine,
E A C#m A God bless the men who'll murder in th
service of the Lord; E B7 C#m Blessings from the
Chaplain of the War.

Give thanks to the parents who taught them as a
boy they must obey Give thanks to the church who
taught them how to pose and how to pray Give
thanks to the schools who taught them well what
they are fighting for Blessings from the Chaplain
of the War.

I know it will be hard, your finger on the trigger
might refrain But someone's dealt the cards and
the Bible says you're clearly not to blame Just
think about the past, all the Christian guns
who've carried on before with the Blessings of the
Chaplain of the War.

The enemy is godless, the holy way is one they
never knew Forgive them as you kill them, believe
me, they know not what they do And the prisoners
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you take, you can try to lead them to the
Christian shore now Blessings from the Chaplain of
the War.

Now you may find it strange that a man of peace is
asking you to fight But the church is known to
change, embracing half the wrongs it hopes to
right I can't describe the times, I've wrestled
with my conscience to the core now Blessings from
the Chaplain of the War.

If the worst comes to be and you crumble in the
misty cloud of pain I'll fall down to my knees and
beg for every mercy on your name And your soul
will be safe for heaven knows the burdens that you
bore with the Blessings from the Chaplain of the
War.

When you go for broke and the taking of a life may
leave you lost Rising from the smoke is the
all-inspiring vision of the cross Sending you the
strength to show you that you can struggle more
with the blessings from the Chaplain of the War.

The commandments are torn we'll teach them when
the victory fire glows Now my collar is worn just
above my military clothes The religion of the
flag, the servant of the saviour and the sword Now
Blessings from the Chaplain of the War.

1966